Lbs to Grams Converter

To convert lbs to grams, multiply the number of pounds by 453.59237. One pound equals 453.59237 grams exactly, so 1 lb is 453.59 g, 2 lb is 907.18 g and half a pound is 226.80 g. The factor is a definition rather than a measurement, which means it never changes.

How to convert lbs to grams

Multiply pounds by 453.59237 to get grams. That single step covers every conversion in this direction, and dividing by the same figure reverses it:

The figure 453.59237 comes from the International Yard and Pound Agreement of 1959, in which the standards bodies of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa defined one international avoirdupois pound as exactly that many grams. NIST Special Publication 811 lists the same value as an exact conversion factor. Because it is exact, a pound weighs the same in every country that signed, and any variation you see between calculators is a rounding choice rather than a real difference.

Reading an American recipe with a metric scale

Multiply the pounds in the recipe by 453.59237 and weigh that many grams. American recipes and packaging quote pounds while most kitchen scales sold outside the United States read in grams, so this is the most common reason for converting in this direction. A recipe calling for 2 lb of flour needs 907.18 grams, and one calling for 1.5 lb of beef needs 680.39 grams.

Recipe writers usually round, which matters more for baking than for cooking. A package labelled 1 lb holds 453.59 grams, while a metric package labelled 500 g holds about 46 grams more. Substituting one for the other changes a bread dough noticeably but will not harm a stew.

Half pounds, quarter pounds and ounces

Half a pound is 226.80 grams and a quarter pound is 113.40 grams. Both come from dividing the exact figure of 453.59237 grams per pound. Butchers, delicatessens and burger menus use these fractions constantly, which is where the quarter-pound patty takes its name.

Pounds also divide into ounces rather than into tenths. One pound contains 16 avoirdupois ounces and one ounce is 28.349523125 grams exactly. A weight written as 1 lb 8 oz is therefore 1.5 lb, which is 680.39 grams.

Lbs to grams conversion table

This table converts common pound values to grams and kilograms. Every row uses the exact factor of 453.59237 grams per pound and is rounded for display.

Converting the other way is covered on the grams to lbs converter, which also breaks the answer into pounds and ounces.